November Plans

Thursday, November 01, 2012

I stole this blog idea from another BLC20 member and I thought to myself, "I really should create a plan for the month." Unfortunately, I've been coasting along. In everything, not just in weight loss. I'll be the first to admit that my commitment levels for everything from BLC to work to school to wedding planning to house chores have been flighty. I want to do all of these things, but I have poor follow through. I always have.

Some examples:

---I've read several books to within pages of the end - and never finished them. Most notably, Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. I stopped reading this one 6 pages before I finished it. (I did eventually finish it, but ONLY because I was going to see the movie and just couldn't allow the movie to ruin the ending. BUT there are many others out there just waiting for me to pick back up. Someday.)

---I started a minor in photography and I was really good but I stopped taking the classes when I found out I didn't "need" them to graduate. Even though photography is something I really enjoy. (Makes no sense..except maybe financially, sadly, that wasn't even the motivation behind quitting.)

---I want to lose weight before I get married and I've lost a couple pounds, but I'm not pushing myself hard at all. I could be up early in the mornings working out and kicking some behind, but instead I hit the snooze button about 8 times. (I'm lazy. Clearly.)

---I'm back in school and really enjoying the classes I'm taking and the field I've chosen to move into, but doing the reading for class? I think I kept up with it for about a month. I haven't picked up a textbook to read in about two weeks. (Again, there's the lazy thing.)

In any case, enough on my failures in life. :p On to the positive things - like how I plan to not fail anymore.

This month, I really want to prove to myself that I can commit to doing something for me and follow through with it.

The first thing I will do for myself is take the month off from drinking any alcoholic beverages. I wouldn't call myself a big drinker, but sometimes on weekends when I'm out with friends I do indulge. It really wreaks havoc on my life when I do this - mostly because: 1. I should be drinking water instead, then I'd get my 8 glasses every weekend day for sure. 2. My wallet always hurts the next day, sometimes along with my head. 3. I won't need to sleep in as long and I'll be able to get a workout in early which is the only time I ever get a workout in on weekend days. (I get distracted after about 11am - so when I wake up after 11 am, of course there's no chance I'm working out.) And finally, 4. Maybe I'll lose a few more pounds if I cut out beers and drinks for a few weekends. (Can't argue with that potential benefit.)

The second thing I am going to do for myself is devote one hour every single day to doing homework - whether it's reading or studying or writing papers. I need to make sure I include my schoolwork into my DAILY schedule and not just when I can fit it in (because playing the Sims and watching TV will ALWAYS win out.)

Lastly, I will stop SNOOZING the alarm clock every morning. (Starting with tomorrow, because I definitely did not follow this rule this morning.) I know exactly how to stop doing this...get up when I wake up and that'll be that. I usually wake up between 5 and 6 am and then make the decision to go back to sleep - knowing that this is not going to work out well. But I do it anyway. Anyone who knows anything about sleep knows that people tend to sleep in 90 minute cycles. I'm sure I could wake up mid-cycle if I heard the alarm blaring, but let me tell you - my body and mind do NOT like it when I attempt this and then I find my arm reaching for the snooze button. Maybe its all mental - but either way, no going back to sleep!

Okay, so three things on the to do list this month:
1. No drinking.
2. One hour of study time daily.
3. Get up when I wake up (i.e. no snoozing.)

JO88BAKO
You have a good plan. Don't be to hard on yourself. One good choice at a time. Planning a wedding takes lots of time and patients. You're doing a good job. Hang in there! Good luck on your WI tomorrow.1863 days ago

SHASTABEARZ
Did you read my mind when you wrote that? Well, not the beers on the weekends or the getting married, . But, I'm right with you on needing to get up when my hubby wakes me up. And I love playing games and watching tv. Those are truly hard habits to break. Kudos to you for making a plan and I second what Blue said, even if you slip, keep trying! You are not a failure! You are a work in progress!1867 days ago

BLUE48DOWN
Sounds like a simple enough plan. Just remember - if things don't go to plan one day, that does not mean the plan needs to be ditched. Make it happen the next day and leave the day it didn't happen behind.1868 days ago